Written questions by MacCleary.

What the nature is of complaints made to the a) Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces and b) Armed Forces Commissioner that have taken more than 24 weeks to respond to in each of the last five years.

Detailed information concerning the numbers, nature and timeliness of Service Complaints was published by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) in its Annual Reports which were laid before Parliament, and in the supporting Annual Statistical Tables that are available on the SCOAF website: https://www.scoaf.org.uk/annual-statisticals-tables Information on the numbers of complaints received by the SCOAF from LGBTQ+ personnel, and the number of staff hours and cost expended in working on complaints made to the SCOAF is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Armed Forces Commissioner was established on 1 April 2026, and no verified statistics are currently available.

How much was spent on working on complaints made to the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces in i) 2023, ii) 2024 and iii) 2025.

Detailed information concerning the numbers, nature and timeliness of Service Complaints was published by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) in its Annual Reports which were laid before Parliament, and in the supporting Annual Statistical Tables that are available on the SCOAF website: https://www.scoaf.org.uk/annual-statisticals-tables Information on the numbers of complaints received by the SCOAF from LGBTQ+ personnel, and the number of staff hours and cost expended in working on complaints made to the SCOAF is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Armed Forces Commissioner was established on 1 April 2026, and no verified statistics are currently available.

By which year does he forecast the Royal Navy surface fleet will return to its minimum target strength of 19 frigates and destroyers.

Awaiting answer.

What progress his Department has made on the Type 83 design process; and whether it will be completed by 2038.

I refer the hon. Member to my response to question 106653 on 27 January 2026.

What progress he has made on (a) Project Beehive, (b) MMCM program (Marine Mine Counter Measures), (c) SeaCat and (d) the repairs to HMS Bangor.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Whether his Department has considered New Zealand's retirement villages sector in developing policy on the future of the social care system in England.

We recognise the important role retirement villages play in providing high quality, safe, and suitable homes which can help people stay independent and healthy for longer and reduce the need to draw on health and social care provision. The Department of Health and Social Care is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support the development of suitable older people’s housing. We are aware of relevant international evidence in this area, including examples cited in the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report such as older people’s housing models in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada.

How many operational vessels are available to the Royal Navy with hospital or casualty receiving facilities.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What steps his Department is taking to improve mine hunting capabilities.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What progress his Department has made on resolving disputes over pay and work conditions in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

We continue to engage constructively with trade unions. It would not be appropriate to offer more detail of these engagements as discussions are ongoing.

When he plans to issue an update to the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Under what legislation do British forces operate in UK waters.

UK forces operate in accordance with both international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and domestic law.

What steps his her Department taking to ensure all driving licence applications are processed in a timely manner.

Specific information on the average time to process driving licence applications where the applicant is over the age of 70 and applied online is not available. The table below shows the average number of working days taken to process non-medical driving licence applications made online between January and 14 April 2026. Group 1 (car and motorcycle)Group 2 (lorry and bus)DateOnline ApplicationsOnline ApplicationsJan 20261.31.0Feb 20261.21.0Mar 20261.21.0Apr 2026(to 14 Apr)1.21.0 The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to renew a driving licence and customers should receive their driving licence within a few days following a successful online application. However, driving licence applications where a medical condition must be investigated can take longer as in the interests of road safety the DVLA must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued. The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. Unfortunately, this has led to longer waiting times for some customers. To keep up with growing customer demand and to offer a better service, the DVLA is updating its online service and has launched a new casework system which will deliver significant improvements to drivers with medical conditions. The DVLA has also launched a new digital medical services portal. These enhancements, along with the recruitment of additional staff to deal with medical applications and answer telephone calls, will deliver real improvements for customers.

(a) when he expects the Ministry of Defence to respond to Freedom of Information request FOI2026/00636, submitted by my office on the 9th January 2026, and (b) what the reasons are for the delay in issuing a response.

It has taken more time than expected to collate the information in scope of this request. I apologise for the delay and will aim to provide a substantive response as soon as possible.

What estimate he has made of the number of (a) falsely-flagged and (b) non-flagged vessels that have passed through the English Channel and are linked to the Russian state since July 2024.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 20 April 2026, to Question 125435.

What steps is her Department taking to ensure those renewing short-term medical driving licences are kept up to date with the progress of their application.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) writes to drivers to advise of any action taken on their case, for example where medical information has been requested from their healthcare professional or when a reminder has been issued and no response has been received. The DVLA is also enhancing its online service to provide clearer application progress updates via the driver and vehicles customer account. Details on how to sign up for an account can be found at www.gov.uk/driver-vehicles-account.

What is the average time a new licence is issued to those who are over 70 and have applied online.

Specific information on the average time to process driving licence applications where the applicant is over the age of 70 and applied online is not available. The table below shows the average number of working days taken to process non-medical driving licence applications made online between January and 14 April 2026. Group 1 (car and motorcycle)Group 2 (lorry and bus)DateOnline ApplicationsOnline ApplicationsJan 20261.31.0Feb 20261.21.0Mar 20261.21.0Apr 2026(to 14 Apr)1.21.0 The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to renew a driving licence and customers should receive their driving licence within a few days following a successful online application. However, driving licence applications where a medical condition must be investigated can take longer as in the interests of road safety the DVLA must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued. The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. Unfortunately, this has led to longer waiting times for some customers. To keep up with growing customer demand and to offer a better service, the DVLA is updating its online service and has launched a new casework system which will deliver significant improvements to drivers with medical conditions. The DVLA has also launched a new digital medical services portal. These enhancements, along with the recruitment of additional staff to deal with medical applications and answer telephone calls, will deliver real improvements for customers.

How many (a) falsely-flagged and (b) non-flagged vessels have passed through the English Channel since July 2024.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 20 April 2026, to Question 125435.

How many complaints relating to the speed of maintenance for urgent repairs were received by Pinnacle Service Families from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.

Between 23 March 2026 and 06 April 2026, Pinnacle received 16 complaints concerning the length of time taken to complete an urgent repair task.

What plans his Department has for the provision of simulation and training infrastructure to support the New Medium Helicopter programme.

The New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract includes the provision of four Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs). These will be housed at RAF Benson, along with associated training infrastructure.

How many complaints relating to the speed of maintenance for urgent repairs were received by Amey from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.

This information is not held in the format requested for Amey and VIVO. Complaints from families are received and managed by Pinnacle’s National Service Centre. Amey and VIVO do not record or manage these complaints from families. Between 23 March 2026 and 06 April 2026, Pinnacle received 16 complaints concerning the length of time taken to complete an urgent repair task.